While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, a baffling cipher found near the body. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, sort through the bizarre riddle, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci, clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Your Likes make Audible better!

Publisher's Summary

Now a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci, clues visible for all to see, yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion, an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret, and an explosive historical truth, will be lost forever.

As a special bonus, this audio edition includes Dan Brown's October 2005 speech at the University of New Hampshire, introduced by his father. The author discusses the research behind his groundbreaking novel and the controversy it has created. Also, listen to an exclusive interview with Akiva Goldsman, screenwriter of The Da Vinci Code.

Can't get enough of The Da Vinci Code? Check out our store devoted to all things Da Vinci.

What the Critics Say

"In this gleefully erudite suspense novel, Mr. Brown takes the format...to blockbuster perfection." (The New York Times) "Brown solidifies his reputation as one of the most skilled thriller writers on the planet with his best book yet, a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense." (Library Journal) "Many notches above the intelligent thriller; this is pure genius." (Nelson DeMille)

What a captivating story!The narrators voices are greatly varied.I felt like watching a movie and was so enetertained that I couldn't take my headphones off.The historic and scientific facts are very interesting and contribute to common knowledge in an easy going way. Anytime you think you know where the story is headed it takes another turn keeping the thrill-factor high.I highly recommend it.

I thought this was a great book. Having studied world religions for 15 years, it's surprisingly accurate. The descriptions of the art and the Louvre were very good as well. Mr, Brown has done his homework.
I actually like the fact and fiction wound together. I guess some won't get it, but as an author you can't write a book for everyone.

It's important for readers to understand, as many previous reviewers do not, that not all books are works of literature. Chances are that if you are purchasing a(n)(audio)book that appears on the New York Times Bestseller List, it has most of the characteristics that the Average Joe looks for in a book: entertaining, fast-paced, transparent, filled with action (as opposed to thought), and sex.

Although "The Da Vinci Code" features a prudish protagonist that precludes much of the latter, it does serve up an orgy of controversial historical facts that will prod all but the most closed-minded of readers to question their beliefs and research the presented details further. If the indignant one-star-reviewers wanted character development they should have bought some Saul Bellow or Philip Roth. The self-proclaimed writer who fumed, "I wrote better in the 3rd grade" should check her ego and realize that this effective piece of entertainment isn't trying to be deft with the English Language, just thought provoking and fun. I find it funny that those who thought the reading and the book itself was so unbearably horrendous wasted 15+ hours listening to the purported drivel.

Ultimately, this book is great for those who have an interest in religious history and don't mind the cliched plotline and hackneyed characters roughed-in to deliver the truly interesting ideas on the roots of Christianity and the rise of patriarchal society.

I was extremely pleased with the detail and suspense of this book. This was my first read of Brown and it set me off to read his other works. Though some won't read because they believe it is "pure fiction", and offends their religious beliefs, I enjoy a good piece of fiction. A must for anyone that can look past the fact or fiction of the religious content.

This is one of the great books of our time. I have listened to and read most of the great mystery writers of the past 50 years and nothing has caught my attention like this novel. The characters are good but the plot and its details are interesting beyond words. I am going to go buy the illustrated version of the book for my collection. Now I have to research the "facts" of the book to see which are real. Well Done!

I've read some of the reviews of this book and find them surprising. I found the book entertaining, thought provoking, and somewhat educational. I agree with one reviewer that the people who have a problem with this book probably object more to the theme than its plot or how the story is constructed.

I found the reader to be very good, too. I'm not going to get picky about how well someone does a foreign accent. If they get too authentic I probably won't be able to understand what they are saying! Hey, I'm trying to drive while I listen. I value clear diction and good pacing.

In all, if you are looking for an entertaining book, listen to this one.

If you're looking for a book with deep characters, this probably isn't the book for you. However, if you want to be entertained, this is an awesome book! The accents were laughable and some situations seemed outright rediculous, but the [unabridged] book was very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.